Carina Kool

Because of cancer, I have lost loved ones. My Papa Deke (grandfather) survived one cancer to pass away from another. By the time my Aunt Sharon found out that she had cancer, it was too late and they stated she didn’t have much time left. My brother, Quentin, came home from swim team practice the summer before he started 3rd grade and fell asleep. When he woke up, he complained that he wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t move. Doctors ran tests, some even thought he was faking it, but when taken to Geisinger, the doctors stated that they didn’t think it was cancer, but were running tests anyway. Well, the test came back for Stage 4 cancer and they didn’t think he would survive it. He went through a lot of tests and different treatments. This was hard on our family and my brother was determined to prove the doctors wrong. He was ready to fight this cancer. He was in & out of the hospital for about a year or so and he was home schooled that year by one of the 3rd grade teachers in our community during that time. Shortly after he went into remission, he had a relapse, but he was able to survive that and has been in remission ever since. He is now 34 years old and has served in the military, participated in triathlon’s, etc. I have some friends with cancer that are currently fighting it and I truly hope that they do. There are many different types of cancer out there and we need to find a way to cure them all. In time, I hope with all the advancements, we will.

Below is a photo of my brother, Quentin, then and now:

It’s sad to see all the people out in the world that are suffering because of this disease. Another team member, Hilary Macias, said, “Everyone deserves to live a full life – full of todays and tomorrows.” I completely agree with this statement.

I encourage you to support Jeff in his campaign to be The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2016 Man of the Year by raising funds and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Please read The Story of Tommy, Jeff’s brother, to learn why he’s so passionate about this cause.

I’m excited to be a part of Team for Tomorrows to help raise funds and awareness for this wonderful cause. To learn more about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit www.LLS.org.